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Smiles per gallon

My daughter-in-law will very shortly be choosing another company car. Her current car is a Ford Focus 1.8 diesel (I think). However, she is now considering a hybrid because of VED band A zero tax. Her annual mileage is much less than 10K per year. I understand mpg is not necessarily so clever with these hybrids, so do the maths add up when comparing with a 1.6/1.8 something that has good mpg? Are there other financial considerations for having a hybrid company car?

Asked on 31 July 2010 by TJ Romsey

Answered by Honest John
Hybrids are best in cities or for commuting to cities where they make total sense. The BIK on a new Toyota Auris hybrid on 17" wheels is just 10%, or £1,920. So she'll pay either £480 or £768 tax. No London Congestion Tax. Doesn't get much better than that. Test and video:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/road-tests/toyota/toyota...d Currently, diesels only make more sense for long distance work and more than 15,000 miles a year.

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